Musotima nitidalis

Musotima nitidalis, also known as the golden brown fern moth, is a species of moth of the family Crambidae. This species was described by Francis Walker in 1866. It is native to Australia and New Zealand and was first found in Europe in 2009.

Musotima nitidalis
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Crambidae
Genus: Musotima
Species:
M. nitidalis
Binomial name
Musotima nitidalis
(Walker, 1866)[1]
Synonyms
  • Isopteryx nitidalis Walker, 1866
  • Diathrausta timaralis Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875

Description

The larvae of this species are pale green with a transparent skin and a dark head.[2] Adults are brown with various white markings outlined in black on each forewing.[3]

Hosts

The larvae feed on the undersides of the leaves of various Polypodiophyta species, including Adiantum aethiopicum, Pteridium esculentum, and Histiopteris incisa,[2] and lives in a sparse web.

References

  1. "Species Musotima nitidalis (Walker, 1866)". Australian Faunal Directory. Environment.gov.au. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  2. Andrew Crowe (2004). Life-Size Guide to New Zealand Native Ferns: Featuring the unique caterpillars which feed on them. p. 19. ISBN 0-14-301924-4. Wikidata Q115211440.
  3. "Musotima nitidalis (Walker, 1866)". Australian Caterpillars and their Butterflies and Moths. 8 September 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2019.


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